2 die, 5 rescued in motorbanca capsizing off Northern Samar

Two people died and five others were rescued after a motorbanca capsized due to strong waves off Barangay Rawis in Laoang town, Northern Samar on Monday, Dec. 30.

The Philippine Coast Guard received an alert at 3:50 a.m. about the incident involving two deceased individuals and survivors along the coast.

A joint search, rescue, and retrieval operation was immediately launched by the PCG following the report, with the bodies of the deceased recovered from the shoreline and brought to the Laoang Rural Health Unit for post-mortem examination.

The motorbanca departed from Barangay Rawis late Sunday night carrying six passengers and two crew members but capsized due to rough sea conditions as it headed towards Batag Island in Laoang town.

Survivors, including four passengers and the two crew members, received medical attention at a hospital following the incident.